Man Charged in Pittsfield Fire That Killed Cat

Staff Reports 10:07PM / Tuesday, July 22, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A 23-year-old man has been charged for an early morning structure fire that killed a family cat.

Around 3:10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, police and firefighters responded to a two-family residence on Fourth Street for a reported structure fire.

Hunter Barrett was arrested and charged with arson later that day.

"All occupants of the building were able to safely exit the building," police wrote around 8:30 p.m.

"Unfortunately, a family cat perished in the blaze."

The street number was not disclosed.

As a result of the ensuing investigation, Barrett was arrested and charged with arson of a dwelling. He is expected to be arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court on Wednesday, July 23.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the police, Fire Department, and the State Police Fire Investigation Team.

Tags: structure fire,

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Wixsom Leads Force 12U Softball Team in Tourney Opener

iBerkshires.com Sports11:26PM / Friday, September 11, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Emma Wixsom struck out eight of the nine batters she faced in Friday’s opener of the Berkshire Fall Frenzy as the host Force 12-and-under travel softball team beat the Greylock Thunder, 14-0, in three innings.

Wixsom was credited with a perfect game in the contest, which was ended by the tournament’s run rule.

McKinley Bushika led the Force’s offense, going 3-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. Charlotte Kotski tripled, and Lilly Tuohy doubled in a nine-hit attack.

In its second game in the six-team tournament on Friday evening, the Force beat the East Greenbush, N.Y., Xpress Crushers, 5-3.

Peyton Demary went 3 and two-thirds innings in the circle before giving the ball to Wixsom. Demary struck out eight while allowing two earned runs.

Kotski was a difference maker at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI in a six-hit attack for the Force.

Berkshire Saturday starts its day against the 413 Panthers out of Hampden at the Doyle Complex.

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